Abstract
Damascus University, a pioneer in Levantine academia, has generally been ignored by Syriatologists and historians. Its story speaks volumes about the founding fathers of the Syrian Republic, however, and the anti-colonial movement under French Mandate rule. This article looks its the founding yea8rs under Ottoman times and ends with the tenure of its founder and first president Riḍà Saʿīd. Given that collapse of higher education in Syria at present, because of the current war, it is imperative to look back and see how Syrian academics emerged from times of war to revamp their university after the turmoil of World War I and French occupation. Present academics might find inspiration and a roadmap for the future in looking at the university’s past and the deeds of its founders.
Highlights
Given that collapse of higher education in Syria at present, because of the current war, it is imperative to look back and see how Syrian academics emerged from times of war to revamp their university after the turmoil of World War I and French occupation
In late December 2011, crime struck at Damascus University
As he rose to the podium, he looked al-Shīshaklī straight in the eye—who was seated in the front row wearing his military fatigues—and said: ‘I refuse to obtain a degree in law from a president who doesn’t respect the law!1’ That single statement set Damascus University ablaze, forcing the army to intervene, conducting a manhunt of faculties, classrooms, and dormitories
Summary
In late December 2011, crime struck at Damascus University. A young man discretely slipped through the campus garden into one of the numerous stone-built arched halls. Within living memory, Damascus University—known as The Syrian University until 1958—was claimed jewel of the crown of the Middle East It was Journal of Arabic and Islamic Studies 18 (2018): 179-200 © Sami Moubayed, The Damascus History Foundation in Damascus, Syria. The Syrian leader was presiding over a military regime and the young student from the large Sibāī family did not like it As he rose to the podium, he looked al-Shīshaklī straight in the eye—who was seated in the front row wearing his military fatigues—and said: ‘I refuse to obtain a degree in law from a president who doesn’t respect the law!1’ That single statement set Damascus University ablaze, forcing the army to intervene, conducting a manhunt of faculties, classrooms, and dormitories.
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